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July 27th
On this day in history in ....
1945 - Buddy Rogers defeats Dave Levin to win the Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston.
1956 - Duke Keomuka & Tony Martin defeat Mike DiBiase & Danny Plechas to win the Texas Tag Team Title in Houston, ending DiBiase & Plechas' second reign.
1978 - During a New Japan Show at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund wrestled Antonio Inoki to a one-hour draw in a three fall match. Inoki won the first fall twenty minutes into the match, and Backlund won the second at the 36 minute mark, before they went the distance.
1988 - Stan Hansen defeats Genichiro Tenryu in Nagano, Japan to win the PWF World Heavyweight and NWA United National Heavyweight Titles, which would later become part of the All Japan Triple Crown.
1990 - Stan Hansen defeats Mitsuharu Misawa in Matsudo, Japan to win the vacant All Japan Triple Crown (NWA International, NWA United National and Pacific Wrestling Federation World Titles). The title had been declared vacant when previous champion Terry Gordy was hospitalized.
1996 - Dr. Wagner Jr. defeats Aquarius (Yoshihiro Tajiri) to win the CMLL World Light-Heavyweight Title in Sapporo, Japan. Wagner had lost the title to Aquarius eight days earlier, and neither of these title changes (which took place on Big Japan cards) were authorized by EMLL, who control the title.
1991 - Steve Simpson & Chris Walker defeat Scott Anthony (Raven) & Rip Rogers in the tournament final to win the Global Wrestling Federation Tag Team Champions in Dallas, Texas.
2001 - Pro Wrestling Noah celebrated their 1st anniversary as a promotion with an event at Budokan Hall in Tokyo. The main event of the show saw Jun Akiyama defeat Mitsuharu Misawa to win the Noah Global Honored Crown, becoming the second man to hold the title.
2001 - Kayo Noumi defeats Miho Wakizawa to win the All Japan Women's Singles Title in a tournament final in Tokyo.
2002 - Low Ki defeats Spanky, Christopher Daniels & Doug Williams in a 60-minute Iron Man match to become the first Ring Of Honor Champion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
2003 - WWE held their Vengeance Pay-per-view, the first ever Smackdown brand-only event, in Denver Colorado at the Pepsi Arena. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the event:
Vengeance, WWE's first ever Smackdown brand PPV, was a big success. It was easily the best PPV since WrestleMania, and it highlighted how much stronger the Smackdown brand is when it comes to in-ring action. The show benefited from great heat from the live crowd in Denver. Commentary was also strong from Tazz & Michael Cole. Tazz has the ability to be funny without being silly and distracting from the seriousness of the matches. There were three terrific matches on the show. There were also three gimmick matches, two of which were better than expected. Only one was truly bad, and it was short. Some might question the booking for a couple of the matches, but any booking quirks were more than overridden by the strong match quality on the show.
EDDIE GUERRERO defeated CHRIS BENOIT in the finals of the U.S. Title tournament in 22:12. They need fewer titles, not more, and this one is supposedly the revived WCW version of the U.S. belt which traces its lineage back to the Mid-Atlantic area. They at least had two awesome competitors for the finals. They started out trading fast mat spots. Guerrero went on offense, and got a babyface reaction. He wasn't the only supposed heel to get a face reaction on this show. Guerrero used a kick to win a test of strength. He hit a huracanrana on Benoit and they traded twos as each kept reversing the pin attempt. Benoit bailed out for a while. Guerrero locked on a headlock. They traded tombstone piledriver attempts, with Benoit eventually nailing Guerrero with a shoulderbreaker and hooking the crossface. Guerrero made the ropes. Guerrero went to the floor and Benoit caught him with a tope. Guerrero did a huracanrana off the top. Guerrero scored some twos until Benoit came back with a high backdrop and a superplex. Benoit scored a two. Benoit hit two German suplexes but Guerrero blocked a third. Benoit hooked the crossface again. The crowd popped big for the crossfaces, as that hold is over big time. Guerrero made the ropes once again. Guerrero hit some suplexes and a high superplex. He went for the frog splash but Benoit rolled clear. Benoit hooked yet another crossface, with Guerrero again making the ropes. There was a ref bump. Guerrero got the title belt and laid Benoit out. He then hit the frog splash but the revived ref only counted two before Benoit kicked out. Guerrero then hit the ref with the belt and tried to set it up to look like Benoit did it. The ref stayed down forever, and Guerrero became frustrated when he wouldn't revive. Meanwhile, Benoit revived and hooked the crossface. Guerrero tapped but the KO'ed ref didn't see it. Benoit tried to revive the ref. Guerrero tried to use the tite belt again. Benoit ducked and caught Guerrero with a suplex. Benoit went for the diving headbutt but hit the ref when Guerrero moved. The ref stuff was starting to get old and it hurt the match a little. At this point, Rhyno ran in and turned on Benoit, nailing him with a gore. This turn had been building off and on for weeks, but as of the most recent TV Rhyno was fully in Benoit's corner. Anyway, Guerrero hit the frog splash on the gored Benoit as the ref finally revived and counted the pin. The ending was way overbooked but the match was a great opener.
Vince McMahon gave daughter Stephanie a small bouquet of artificial flowers. He had a huge bouquet of real flowers for Sable. Steph didn't appreciate the size difference. Vince also reported that he'll appear on RAW on Monday to confront Kane over his attack on Linda.
JAMIE NOBLE beat BILLY GUNN in 4:59. The stipulation here was that Noble would get to "sleep" with Torrie Wilson on Smackdown if he won the match. He came out with a briefcase, saying it was full of sex toys. Gunn kicked the case into Noble's face. He opened it and looked inside. The cameras only caught a glimpse but it appeared to be a lot of lotions and various "objects". Noble gave Gunn a plancha and pounded him on the floor. Nidia came out, jealous because Noble wants to have sex with Torrie. Gunn went on offense and scored some twos. Noble hit Gunn with a DDT, but when he went for the pin, Nidia put Gunn's foot on the rope to break the count. Noble went out and confronted her and ended up getting his face slapped by both Nidia and Torrie. Noble, by the way, was another supposed heel treated by the fans as a face. The finish saw Gunn almost collide with Torrie, which allowed Noble to roll him up and score the pin with a handful of tights. Noble got a big babyface pop from the crowd. Torrie acted horrified that she will now have to have sex with Noble on Smackdown, but of course it'll be a lame screwjob (no pun intended), since technically she promised to "sleep" with him. Guess she'll show up with a bottle of Sominex and take a nap. Noble was later shown drooling over a well "used" copy of the Torrie Playboy issue. This was an okay short match.
BRADSHAW won a barroom brawl in 4:32. They had a fake barroom set up, and the rules were that the last man left standing would win. The other participants were (and forgive me if I miss someone here, as they didn't do intros for most of the guys) Faarooq, Spanky, Nunzio, Chuck Palumbo, Johnny Stamboli, Matt Hardy, Shannon Moore, the Basham Brothers, Kanyon, Sean O'Hair, Funaki, Orlando Jordan, Brooklyn Brawler, Doink the Clown, Brother Love, and some guy dressed as the Easter Bunny. Brother Love asked everyone to bow their heads for a pre-fight prayer, but then sneak attacked someone with a bar stool. They just sort of brawled around using beer bottles, bar stools, and assorted other objects as weapons. It was a mess. One guy after another went down and stayed down. Funaki just sat and drank beer. It came down to Bradshaw, Brother Love, and Funaki. Bradshaw broke a beer bottle over Love's head and he went down. Funaki then passed out drunk. Bradshaw was declared the winner. Faarooq was standing there, too, but I guess he went down at some point. It was pretty bad.
CHARLIE HAAS & SHELTON BENJAMIN defeated REY MYSTERIO JR. & BILLY KIDMAN in 14:53 to retain the Smackdown World Tag Titles. Let me start off by saying the Haas & Benjamin are improving at an amazing rate. WWE needs to start building some regular tag teams who stay together long term. And by long term I mean years and years and years. Haas & Benjamin are good enough that I'm afraid there are already plans to break them up. As for Mysterio & Kidman, they were off the charts here. Mysterio started off against Benjamin. Mysterio hit a spinning headscissors. Kidman hit a dropkick and another spinning headscissors. Haas came in and was caught by Mysterio with a springboard legdrop. Haas gave Mysterio a sit-down slam and a powerslam. Haas vaulted Mysterio high for a huge bump. Mysterio kept kicking out of pin attempts at two. Benjamin came back in and did a great roll through on a huracanrana, but Mysterio then caught him with a dropkick out of nowhere. Benjamin evaded a 619 but Mysterio still caught him with a springboard splash to the floor. The Denver altitude certainly didn't hurt anyone in this match. Kidman did a shooting star press to the floor onto both opponents. Haas recovered and posted Kidman, who got worked over for a while. Kidman made the tag but the ref disallowed it since he didn't see it. They doubled on Kidman some more until he finally made the hot tag. Mysterio hit a somersault springboard dropkick on Benjamin. He then kicked Haas from the ring. Benjamin tried for a suplex but Mysterio reversed it into a DDT. Mysterio hit Haas with the 619 and went for the West Coast Pop. It ended up as more of a springboard Thesz press, leading to a near fall. Kidman vaulted Mysterio up and he gave Haas a huracanrana off the top. They've been teasing a Kidman turn but I'm glad they didn't do it here. The finish saw Haas hoist Mysterio on his shoulders, allowing Benamin, who made a blind tag, to crossbody him off to the mat for a clean pin. Excellent match with great heat!
They aired a great SummerSlam promo. It was a takeoff on the movie "Jaws", with everyone on a beach running from a shark. But Brock Lesnar ran into the water and gave the shark an F5.
SABLE beat STEPHANIE McMAHON in 6:25. This was billed as a no-countout catfight. Steph attacked Sable on the ramp. Sable fled into the crowd, with Steph chasing her down and throwing her back across the barrier. Sable came back and stomped Steph through the mat. Sable kicked and bitch slapped Steph. Steph got a chair but the ref took it from her. They fought some on the floor to tease the no-countout stips. This wasn't good, but it wasn't nearly as bad as one would expect. It was actually passable. Steph tore off Sable's top and the ref took his shirt off to cover her up. While this was going on, A-Train ran in and gave Steph a lariat. I guess they needed to find something for A-Train to do. Sable crawled on top of Steph and got the pin on the boss' daughter. Steph had to be helped to the back afterward, selling it as a rib injury even though A-Train gave her a lariat.
UNDERTAKER defeated JOHN CENA in 16:01. Undertaker manhandled Cena for the first few minutes. He unceremoniously kicked Cena out to the floor. Cena got mauled on the floor by UT's methodical offense. UT did the legdrop on the apron and the old school rope walk. He chokeslammed Cena, but pulled him up at the two count to inflict more punishment. UT went for the last ride but Cena blocked it and hit a DDT. Cena removed the padding from a turnbuckle and UT hit the exposed steel on a charge. Cena went on offense. which included bumping UT off the apron onto the ring barrier. UT began coughing up blood, and it was sold that he had internal injuries. Cena kept it up, stomping on UT's rib area. Cena scored a bunch of twos. The pace slowed as they were out there a long time in the Denver thin air. UT came back with a lariat and went for the tombstone, but Cena blocked it. UT blocked the FU. UT caught Cena with a boot to the face for a near fall. Cena hit UT with UT's bike chain. Cena hit the FU but UT kicked out at two. Cena, by the way, was yet one more heel who got his fair share of cheers. Cena backed UT into the corner with punches but UT lifted him up and nailed him with the last ride for the pin. It was a little long, but an okay match. A good case could be made that Cena should have gone over here, but if they do a follow-up at SummerSlam with Cena winning, this will turn out okay, as UT did sell it big as if he had been through a war at the end.
VINCE McMAHON defeated ZACH GOWEN in 14:00. You didn't think two McMahons would job on this show, did you? Vince looks totally freakish for a man his age. He toyed with Gowen, who got a fair number of boos, for the first half of the match. He kept bodyslamming Zach and kicking his one leg out from under him. Yes, Vince also strutted and smirked. Vince lariated the hell out of Zach. Zach made a comeback when Vince bumped out to the floor. He hit the Asai moonsault on Vince. Vince grew enraged and went after Zach's one leg. He hooked a crab hold, and Zach nearly tapped. In fact, he did a spot where he pounded his fist on the mat to gain strength, and it looked like a tap, but wasn't. Zach made the ropes. Zach hit a dropkick and crotched Vince on the post. He also wrapped Vince's leg around the post. Vince came up limping and was hit with a missile kick. Vince got his foot on the rope to keep from being pinned. Vince got a chair, but as he fought with the ref over it, Zach dropkicked it into Vince's face. It appeared to cut Vince hardway, as he juiced a major gusher. I mean, seriously, Vince was spouting blood like a fountain. Blood was all over the mat. Zach went up for a moonsault off the top, but Vince rolled clear and scored the pin when Zach crashed to the mat. Vince limped out with blood all over his face, but victorious. Zach got a standing ovation for his loss. This one was good for a gimmick match, and everyone worked hard. The crowd liked it.
KURT ANGLE defeated BROCK LESNAR and BIG SHOW in a three way no-DQ match to capture the WWE World Title in 17:29. Lesnar and Angle attacked Big Show to start things off. Show shook them off, hurling Angle out to the floor and chokeslamming Lesnar. Angle broke Show's pin attempt up. They've done a real good job rehabbing Show after he was reduced to a gimmick jobber on RAW. He didn't look out of place at all in this match. Show overpowered Angle, including using his ass as a weapon. Show blocked an Angle ankle lock attempt. Show legdropped Angle, with Lesnar stopping the pin. Show scored two on Lesnar with a neckbreaker. Angle and Lesnar used garbage can lids on Show. Show suplexed them both. They came back and chokeslammed Show. Lesnar covered Show for the pin but Angle broke it up. Angle and Lesnar then went at it. Lesnar gave Angle an F5, but on the bump Angle rolled out to the floor, saving him from being pinned. Lesnar went back after Show and gave him an F5. Angle recovered enough to pull the ref out of the ring to stop his three count when Lesnar went for a pin. Lesnar rammed Angle into the stairs and posted him. Angle juiced. Show tried to superplex Lesnar but Lesnar, in an amazing move, gave Show a running powerbomb. Angle stopped Lesnar's pin with two chairshots, the second of which busted Lesnar open and he juiced. Show recovered and laid Angle out on the floor. Show cleared the Spanish broadcast desk and was preparing to smash Angle through it. But Angle recovered and Olympic slammed Show through the desk. By this point, the altitude was getting to Show and this KO'ed him long enough to get some rest. Angle and Lesnar brawled, both in the ring and on the floor. Angle gave Lesnar two German suplexes, the second one flipping Lesnar all the way over when released. Lesnar hit a spinebuster for a near fall. Lesnar hooked a choke submission hold on Angle but Show recovered and legdropped them both. He then chokeslammed both but only scored twos when trying to pin them. Angle put the ankle lock on Lesnar. Show broke it up and got Olympic slammed by Angle. Angle then Olympic slammed Lesnar and got the surprise three count to win the title. The thinking was that they put Show in to do the job for either other guy but it didn't come down like that, and it was better that the title changed with a pin on the champ. A great main event to cap off a hot show.
2008 - WWE Smackdown and ECW ran Cape Cod, MA. Eljae Lake filed the following live report:
Cape Cod at the Melody Tent
Carlito defeated Ricky Ortiz. Carlito played to the crowd well. Ortiz did his best to get the crowd with him but hardly anyone knew who he was. He wore warm-up type pants that you could buy at an Olympia and after losing, bowed to the crowd like we were his sensei's. I found that odd since I didn't see one move from him that resembled anything close to any martial art.
R-Truth (Ron Killings) had a nice pop as he went over "Then Natural" Nick Nemeth. Nemeth looks like a good prospect as he was very athletic and interacted with the crowd. Again, some people knew Killings, no one knew Nemeth
There was a diva dance-off. Yep. Victoria wore a Yankees jersey which garnered much heat. Cherry won without dancing because Victoria clotheslined her and the fans were sympathetic. Maryse is so hot in person. It was hosted by Lena of ECW fame.
Finlay (w/Hornswaggle) got a huge reaction from the crowd in a losing effort against The Great Khali. Kids were brought into the ring afterwards to run around with Hornswaggle, which was very nice.
Evan Bourne defeated Chavo with a shooting star. Bam Neely got ejected half-way through the bout due to grabbing Evan's leg.
The Gold Standard, Shelton Benjamin, was victorious over Jimmy Yang.
ECW champion Mark Henry closed out the show with a victory over Matt Hardy. Matt easily got the biggest pop of the night. Crowd went home happy when Colin Delany (who was at ringside along with Tony Atlas) came in the ring to get the twist of fate.
Notes: It was absolutely pouring throughout the show. Wrestlers were led to the tent by staff with umbrellas. Howard Finkel was the announcer and teased that "anything could happen." Unfortunately, all that meant was that HHH never showed and Maria was a "guest host." ....Sign Guy was there and was over HUGE. He had to hold a couple impromptu autograph and picture sessions. I assume he's not on WWE payroll as he was downing beers all night, but I was amazed at how much interaction he has with the wrestlers. Khali grabbed his hat and threw it into the crowd and Shelton Benjamin poured water all over him from the top rope.....The show was entertaining, we had a good time, but I have a bone to pick with WWE. If I payed what I paid for tonight's event a few years ago, I would have seen all the stars. As it was, tickets went on sale a few months ago and we bought a few. We then found out about a month ago that it was a Smackdown/ECW show which we were fine with. But, then they split the ECW/Smackdown roster in half and ran shows all weekend in New England and in New York. While New York was enjoying the main event of Jeff Hardy vs. Edge, we were watching Mark Henry and Matt Hardy (a good feud but they don't mesh styles well). Nothing against Matt Hardy, Finlay, or Mark Henry, but there wasn't one A-list wrestler on the card (a wrestler that's main-evented a PPV within the last 12 months). That would be OK if ticket prices weren't just as high as getting a lodge seat at a PPV!! Hardly anyone knew wrestlers in the first two matches. I certainly understand the business perspective, but they better be careful to give people what they think they're paying for. I'll be thinking twice before buying more tickets to a house show, which is a shame.
2009 - TNA announces they will their run first shows in Switzerland and Germany.
2009 - Shaquille O'Neil guest stars on Monday Night Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Washington, D.C. and your announcers are Michael ‘Shaq’ Cole and Jerry ‘Shaq is no Alexander Ovechkin’ Lawler.
Jerry Lawler is in the ring and he introduces the guest host for tonight’s Raw. Jerry brings out Shaquille O’Neal. He says hello to the people of Washington D.C. He says that his new teammate Lebron James said hello. Shaq says that he was just playing. He points out that he is in charge and then he lets Jerry talk about some of the announcements. Jerry mentions Randy Orton and Shaq says that we will have a Beat the Clock Challenge involving five guys. The participants are Triple H, Montel Vontavious Porter, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry, and John Cena.
Chris Jericho comes out to rain on Shaq’s parade. Chris walks up to Shaq’s chest and he has something to say. Chris says that when he heard the greatest player in the NBA was going to guest host Raw, he thought it was Kobe Bryant. The greatest duo in sports is not Shaq and Lebron, it is . . .
Shaq calls Jericho ‘Christina’ and Jericho is fuming after Shaq gives him a kiss. Chris corrects the parasites who call him Christina. Jericho says that he has been disrespected again by the guest host and he demands to be consulted with and catered to by every member of this company, including guest hosts. Chris says that if Shaq continues to mock him, they will have a problem. Shaq pushes Jericho and asks what kind of problem. Chris says that they will have a big problem and Chris says that he will introduce Shaq to his new tag team partner.
Well, we see what kind of problem because Big Show comes out to the ring. Show and Shaw stand face to face and Show tells Shaq that he will not be able to intimidate him. He tells Shaq has a better chance of making two free throws in a row than intimidate him. He tells Shaq to get out of his ring. Shaq tells ‘Fat Boy’ that he is working on a show called ‘Shaq versus’ where he faces a lot of athletes. He challenges Show to a match tonight. Show says that he is going to pick his teeth with a seven foot toothpick. Show says that he knows that Shaq is going to goad him into something where Show injures Shaq and then the entire NBA comes down on his neck. Then Lebron will get in the ring too and he will have to crush Lebron too. Show says that he does not want to deal with the legal fees so he won’t fight Shaq. Jericho jumps in and he says that he won’t fight Shaq either. Shaq says that he has two people who will fight them and we see Cryme Tyme.
He have a standoff and then the tag champs leave the ring. Shaq tells them that there will be a special outside enforcer tonight and it is Shaq.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that WWE is available in a lot of homes?
Match Number One: Mark Henry versus Carlito in a Beat the Clock Match
The bell rings and Carlito tries to avoid Henry and goes to the floor. Henry waits for Carlito to get back into the ring and then Carlito goes into the ropes. They lock up and Henry sends Carlito into the corner. Henry with a shoulder block and Carlito rolls to the floor again. Henry brings Carlito back into the ring but Carlito with a drop kick and he tries for a pescado but Henry catches Carlito and throws him back into the ring and Henry gets a near fall. Carlito punches Henry but Henry blocks a second punch attempt. Carlito tries to go to the floor but Henry keeps him in the ring but Carlito goes to the floor again. Henry sends Carlito into the ringside barrier and then he gets a near fall when they return to the ring. Carlito with the springboard back elbow and it barely grazes Henry. Henry with a body block for a near fall. Henry with a running splash into the corner and then he covers Carlito but Carlito’s arm is under the rope. Henry with a kick to the head and Henry gets a two count. Henry looks at the clock and Henry tries for a seated splash but Carlito moves out of the way because Henry takes too long. Carlito with a leg drop for a near fall. Carlito drops Henry on the top rope and then Carlito with a springboard missile drop kick for a near fall. Carlito with a reverse chin lock but Henry runs Carlito into the turnbuckles. Henry with a head butt and gets another near fall. Carlito with a sleeper and Henry goes down to one knee. Henry powers up and he gets out of the hold by running Carlito into the turnbuckles. Carlito with a drop kick to the knees and then Carlito tries for a cross body from the second turnbuckle but Henry catches him. Carlito is unable to hit the backstabber and then Henry with the world’s strongest slam for the three count.
Winner: Mark Henry in 6:49
After the match, Mark Henry gets the crowd to stand up.
Mickie James is walking in the back with her title belt and she is joined by Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Mickie James defeating Maryse for the Divas Title.
Match Number Two: Gail Kim, Kelly Kelly, and Mickie James versus Rosa Mendes, Beth Phoenix, and Alicia Fox
Beth and Gail start things off and Gail with a front face lock but Beth throws Gail off. Gail with forearms and then Beth tries to throw Gail down but she tries for a sunset flip. Gail with an octopus but Rosa breaks up the hold. Beth presses Gail over her head and slams her. Beth gets a near fall and then Alicia tags in and she kicks Gail. Gail kick Alicia and Alicia with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Alicia slams Gail’s head into the mat. Rosa is tagged in and Rosa kicks Gail and then she slams Gail and gets a near fall. Alicia is tagged back in and she snap mares Gail but Gail kicks Alicia and hits a monkey flip and Mickie is tagged in. Mickie with forearms to Alicia and a flying clothesline and another clothesline. Mickie knocks Rosa off the apron but Beth goes to the floor. Mickie with a neck breaker for a near fall. Mickie tries for a DDT but Alicia sends Mickie into the turnbuckles. Mickie with a head scissor and a Thesz Press. Gail makes the blind tag and she hits a missile drop kick for the three count as Kelly hits a clothesline on Rosa to help Gail get the three count.
Winners: Gail Kim, Mickie James, and Kelly Kelly
Shaq and Cole are in the back and he asks Shaq what else is planned for tonight. Shaq tells someone to stay out of his office. We see that it is Hornswoggle and they hug. Hornswoggle tries to dunk on a lowered rim, but he fails. Cole tries to use the phrase Shaqalicious and Shaq walks away as we go to commercial.
We are back and I guess Jeff Hardy won at Night of Champions.
Match Number Three: Montel Vontavious Porter versus Chris Masters in a Beat the Clock Match The Time to Beat is 6:49
They lock up and Porter with a rollup for a near fall and then Porter with a take down. Masters with a punch to Porter but Porter with an Irish whip. Porter charges into a boot. Porter with a rollup to counter the Master Lock attempt. Masters with a clothesline and a kick to the back. Masters with a suplex for a near fall. Masters punches Porter and then Porter punches back. Masters with a knee and then Masters with a sunset flip but Porter rolls through into a clothesline for a near fall. Porter with punches to Masters. Porter misses the boot in the corner and then he gets a near fall. Masters with a rake of the eyes and punches. Masters with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow. Porter with a clothesline for a near fall. Masters throws Porter to the floor and Masters punches Porter. Porter with forearms when Masters looks at the clock. Masters keeps Porter out of the ring and the referee makes the ten count as Masters has Porter in the Master Lock.
Double Count Out
We go to commercial.
We are back and before our next match, The Brian Kendrick has some nasty looks at Jerry Lawler. Kendrick tells Lawler that he has not forgotten about being embarrassed last week. He says that nobody embarrasses him.
Match Number Four: The Brian Kendrick versus Kofi Kingston
Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise for the three count as he knocks the microphone out of Kendrick’s hand.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
We see Triple H walking in the back and Ted DiBiase attacks Hunter in the leg. Cole wonders if this might hurt Hunter’s chances as we go to commercial.
We are back and we take a look back at the double submission tap out moment from Night of Champions that led to interference by the rest of Legacy.
Match Number Five: Cody Rhodes versus Triple H in a Beat the Clock Match
Cody tries to go for the leg as Hunter starts to show wear from the attack. Rhodes gets the leg but Hunter pushes him off. Hunter punches Rhodes and then he hits a side head lock take down. Rhodes with a punch as the referee tries to break them up in the corner. Hunter with a Harley Race high knee and he returns to the side head lock take down. Hunter punches Rhodes in the corner and Rhodes tries to work on the knee in the corner but Hunter punches Rhodes. Rhodes pulls Hunter down and he wrings the knee into the ring post. Rhodes with an elbow drop to the knee. Hunter punches Rhodes but Rhodes kicks him and then hits a drop toe hold. Rhodes with a modified stretch muffler and then he hyperextends the knee. Rhodes with a single leg trip and a step over toe hold. Rhodes with a drop kick to the leg followed by an elbow from the turnbuckles. Rhodes continues to work on the leg and he applies the figure four leg lock. Hunter is able to reverse the hold. Hunter kicks Rhodes out of another figure four attempt and Rhodes goes into the ring post. Hunter with a clothesline and both men are down. Hunter with punches but Rhodes with a kick. Hunter is able to hit a spinebuster and then he has time to pose before Ted DiBiase gets on the apron. Ted wants Hunter to punch him to get disqualified. Hunter sends Rhodes into DiBiase and then Rhodes turns around and Hunter hits the Pedigree but time runs out.
Time Limit Expires
After the match, Hunter and the referee argue while Rhodes and DiBiase celebrate.
We go to the back and it is time for ‘Too many Qs Scrabble’ with Santino and Shaq. Cryme Tyme stop by and Shaq tells them to do what they need to do. Santino returns and he gets to play Jesse in the Raw version of Word Up.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Hornswoggle versus Chavo Guerrero
Before the match, Lillian announces that Shaq has made a stipulation that Chavo must wrestle blindfolded.
The bell rings and Chavo reaches for Hornswoggle and Hornswoggle kicks Chavo in the rear end. Chavo goes through the ropes to the floor. Hornswoggle punches Chavo and then Chavo goes into the turnbuckles. Hornswoggle punches Chavo and then Chavo grabs Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle goes through the referee’s legs and Chavo with a take down of the referee. Hornswoggle with a rollup for a near fall. Hornswoggle with a side head lock and a bulldog for a near fall. Chavo takes off the hood and he hits a drop kick on Hornswoggle. Chavo looks for the ropes and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a frog splash. Chavo goes up top but Hornswoggle follows Chavo to the apron and Chavo frog splashes the mat. Hornswoggle hits a frog splash of his own for the three count.
Winner: Hornswoggle
Randy Orton gets ready to walk to the ring and Jack Swagger stops him. Jack says that he has good news and bad news. Jack says that the good news is that Triple H did not beat the clock and the bad news is that he will. Orton asks if he should be worried and Swagger says that he is bigger and faster so Orton should worry. Swagger leaves and then Orton turns around and sees Mark Henry. Mark smiles and then Orton walks away.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that WWE loves the military?
Match Number Seven: Jack Swagger versus Evan Bourne in a Beat the Clock Match
Swagger goes for the legs but Bourne avoids it. Swagger with a double leg take down and then he tosses Bourne away but Bourne lands on his feet and he drop kicks Swagger in the knees and the head. Bourne with a head scissors take down. Bourne with a double underhook but Swagger with forearms. Bourne tries for a wheelbarrow move but Swagger with a wheelbarrow suplex for a near fall. Swagger with a series of near falls and then he works on the arm with a key lock. Swagger with a Northern Lights suplex and bridge for a near fall. Swagger with a suplex for a near fall. Bourne avoids a running power slam and Swagger goes into the turnbuckles. Bourne with a kick to Swagger and then Bourne goes up top but Swagger press slams Bourne across the ring and Swagger with a double jump Vader Splash for a near fall. Swagger with a gutwrench and he tries for the Doctor Bomb but Bourne counters with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Evan Bourne
We are back and next week’s guest host is Jeremy Piven. Greg Gutfield and Andy Levy will be pleased.
It is time to take a look back at the way that Triple H got outsmarted by Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes.
We see Triple H’s knee iced up and Josh Mathews points out that it appears that Cody and Ted are keeping Hunter from trying to get the title back. Hunter says that he blames himself because he has been going after Randy Orton but the tail has been wagging the dog. Without Rhodes and DiBiase, Randy Orton is the same punk he has always been. Hunter tells Rhodes and DiBiase that he is done playing games. Hunter challenges Rhodes and DiBiase to an Epsenhart Special
Miz says that as a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, he is glad that Shaq is coming to his team. He suggests sitting Shaq out when they play the Wizards because they don’t need him. Miz says that teams let the clock run out against the Wizards and the Redskins. That is what he is going to do to John Cena. All he has to do is last six minutes and forty-nine seconds. Miz says that the fans wonder if he can win in that time and Miz gives his comments about the new president’s effectiveness and says “Yes I Can”. We go to commercial.
We are back and Randy Orton joins Lawler and Cole at the announce table.
Match Number Eight: The Miz versus John Cena in a Beat the Clock Challenge
Miz avoids Cena and Cena appears to be frustrated. Miz walks out of the ring and the referee stops Cena from going after him. Miz makes it back into the ring at nine and Cena kicks and punches him. Cena sends Miz into the turnbuckles and punches him. Cena with an inside cradle for a near fall. Cena goes to the floor after Miz and Cena with a clothesline. Cena tries for the STF but Miz gets to the ropes. Miz punches Cena and we see Mark Henry watching from the back. Miz sends Cena into the ring post and then Miz with a belly-t-back suplex for a near fall. Miz with an arm bar and cross face. Cena punches Miz and Miz with a flap jack and then Miz throws Cena out of the ring. Cena is Irish whipped into the ring steps. Cena gets in at the last moment but Miz wraps Cena in the ropes. Miz mocks Cena with the ‘you can’t see me’ and then Miz lays down. Cena gets out of the ropes and Miz taps out with more than two minutes to spare.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Randy Orton is in the ring with John Cena as he slithers in under the radar. Orton holds the title belt over his head.
Shaquille O’Neal is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
Match Number Nine: Chris Jericho and Big Show versus Cryme Tyme with Guest Enforcer Shaquille O’Neal
JTG and Jericho start things off and Jericho backs into the ropes. Jericho with a side head lock and Jericho with a shoulder tackle. JTG with a flying shoulder tackle to Jericho followed by a leap frog leg drop. JTG with punches to Jericho and then Jericho misses a charge into the corner and JTG with a version of an X Factor for a near fall. Jericho punches JTG and kicks him. Show tags in after Jericho sends JTG into his boot. Show with punches to the abdomen. Show with a side head lock. Show with a chop to JTG as he stares at Shaq. Show with a full nelson in front of Shaq. Show flings JTG away and Show stares at Shaq. Show with a spear to JTG and JTG rolls to the floor in pain. Show continues to toss JTG around. Jericho tags in and he kicks JTG. Jericho poses for Shaq before returning to JTG. JTG tries to get to his corner but Jericho keeps him from making the tag and Jericho with a near fall. JTG punches Jericho and hits a flying clothesline and both men are down. Shaq helps JTG make the tag and Shad with clotheslines and a running butt splash in the corner. Shad presses Jericho over his head and then he hits the money money elbow drop. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Shad powers out of the hold and Jericho is sent into Shaq. Cryme Tyme hits a double team neck breaker/TKO combination and Show makes the save. Show attacks JTG and Shad and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Cryme Tyme
After the match, Show grabs both members of Cryme Tyme for choke slams and then he pushes them aside and he wants a piece of Shaq.
Shaq does a Hogan to his shirt and he comes into the ring and confronts Show in the center of the ring. Show pushes Shaq and Shaq pushes back. Show grabs Shaq by the throat and Shaq does the same. Cryme Tyme come to the aid of Shaq and Shaq with a clothesline and Show goes to the floor.
2010 - We are live from Corpus Christi, Texas and your announcers are Josh ‘I get to talk to real people, not a computer’ Mathews and Michael ‘Who is the NXT general manager’ Cole.
The pros are on the stage and it is time to go to Matt Striker, who is in the ring. The rookies come to the ring. Matt mentions that one of the seven men in the ring will be gone at the end of the night. Matt reminds everyone that the poll is a combination of the WWE Universe and the NXT Pros.
Matt says that most of them will be able to prove themselves physically, but now it is time to prove themselves verbally. They will have a minute to talk about anything other than why they shouldn’t be eliminated.
Lucky Cannon goes first and his topic is friends. He says that he didn’t have a lot of friends growing up. When he did well in school and sports, nobody seemed to care. When he was hurt and down, nobody really cared about him. Now that he is this close to making it into the WWE, people seem to care. He says that he lost a childhood friend. Thanks to nobody, he has become a somebody.
Eli Cottonwood is next and his topic is eyes. He says that there is something that I can do that nobody else in the ring can do. There is something I can do that nobody in the arena can do. There is something that I can do that nobody else in the WWE Universe can do. He can look in the eyes of the giant. He can also look in the eyes of the Dead Man . . . The Undertaker.
Husky Harris is next and his topic is husky. He says that he sees a bunch of big bodies, abs, and tans. They look like Tarzan and they fight like Jane. Husky says that if you want to know about him, you can ask MVP. He says that he is like a tank with a Ferrari engine.
Kaval’s topic is dreams. He asks if anyone had a dream that it hurt. He says that he had a dream in Brooklyn to fight on the greatest stage. There were people who told him that he didn’t have what it took. He says that he fought for a decade as Low Ki and he says that it wasn’t about the size of the fighter, but the size of the fight.
Michael McGillicutty is not going to give his topic. Michael mentions that he won the challenge last week so he is the man to beat. He talks about the video package where the pros commented on his progress. He says that it was good except for one man. Michael asks Miz if he called him mediocre. Miz says that he did and he meant it. Michael wants to show Miz that he is mediocre and that Michael is the one who is awesome.
Miz tells McGillicutty to talk to him when he gets a Raw or Smackdown contract.
Alex Riley’s subject is Starbucks. Alex says that if it was up to the pros or anyone with an education, he would have won by a country mile. Since it is being decided by the democracy of dorks, he is competing with a man trying out for the voice of God or as a poor man’s Eddie Murphy. Alex says that he is the sun of the NXT galaxy. He says that everything revolves around him and there are no stars around, just a bunch of Star . . . bucks.
Percy Watson’s topic is having a good time. Percy says that people tell him that he always talks about having a good time. Percy says that life is hard and you have to work hard to get where you are in life. He says that his motto is work hard, but play harder. He says that life is short so you need to shake and groove.
It is time for a video package on Percy Watson. MVP says that Percy has a lot of showmanship. Henry says that he wants to see what is next from Percy. They talk about the connection he has with the crowd. Miz mentions that Percy has no lenses in his glasses so why is he wearing them. Cody says that under the surface is a solid athlete. Zack doesn’t get him. Miz says that you need to be serious in the ring. Porter says that if he shows the dedication, he will teach Percy. Cody says that Percy has more going for him than glasses and a goofy smile.
Match Number One: Percy Watson with Montel Vontavious Porter versus Zack Ryder
Ryder wants Porter off the apron and Ryder with a knee and forearm followed by a side head lock. Ryder with a shoulder tackle but Watson with a back elbow. Ryder with a double leg take down and punches to Watson. Ryder sends Watson into the turnbuckles and kicks him. Ryder with a running face wash to the head for a near fall. Ryder with a knee drop and he gets a near fall as Porter gives Watson some more advice. Ryder with a reverse chin lock. Watson with elbows and punches but Ryder sends Watson into the turnbuckles and he tries for another facewash but Watson moves. Watson with a drop kick or two. Watson with a flying clothesline and Ryder goes to the apron. Ryder drops Watson on the top rope and then he tries for the Rough Rider but Watson hits the floatover DDT and then he hits the twisting Oh Yeah splash for the three count.
Winner: Percy Watson
John Morrison gives some advice to Eli and Morrison says that Eli is doing great. He wants Eli to watch a video tape from last week’s obstacle course. We see the problems that Eli had with the course. John starts to laugh and Eli says that he isn’t an acrobat. Morrison says that people are calling him Eli Rottonwood. Morrison says that Eli has an opportunity against Michael McGillicutty. Eli has one word for Michael. Morrison asks if it is intensity and Eli says that it is mustache.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael and Josh talk about the elimination that will take place. However, there is one rookie who has immunity. In case you missed last week’s obstacle course challenge, we have a recap. The challenge was won by Michael McGillicutty and he has immunity.
Match Number Two: Michael McGillicutty with Kofi Kingston versus Eli Cottonwood with John Morrison
Cottonwood sends Michael into the corner but Michael with punches and forearms. Cottonwood with a shoulder tackle. Cottonwood sends Michael into the turnbuckles and then connects with elbows and a forearm. Cottonwood with a an Irish whip and a side slam for a near fall. Eli chokes Michael in the ropes and the referee warns him. Eli stands on Michael’s foot. Eli with a short arm clothesline and he gets a near fall. Eli with a neck vise on Michael but Michael with punches and he sends Michael to the mat. Eli with a leg drop and slam and he gets a near fall. Eli with an arm bar on Michael and Michael with punches followed by a running clothesline but Eli stays on his feet. Eli with a reverse atomic drop but he misses a big boot in the ropes and Michael with kicks to the leg and then he hits a single leg DDT. Michael with a drop kick to Eli and then he hits a swinging neck breaker for the three count.
Winner: Michael McGillicutty
It is time to go to the back where Ashley Valence mentions that we will have the next NXT poll later tonight. The pros comment on Kaval. Miz says that he is very good in the ring. Mark Henry says that he is probably the most polished in the ring. Kofi says that he has a quiet confidence about him. They also talk about his kicks. Cody and Mark talk about Kaval’s pros. Layla and Michelle . Miz says that Kaval needs to be bigger than life. Morrison says that Kaval takes himself too seriously. Michelle and Layla talk about turning the frown upside down. MVP says that Kaval has made an impact. Cody says that in a fair world, Kaval would be the next breakout star. Michelle and Kaval say that they love Kaval.
Michelle and Layla want to know why he isn’t smiling. Husky bumps into Kaval and Kaval asks Husky if he has a problem. Husky says that he didn’t see Kaval standing there. He says that Kaval is not noticeable. Michelle and Layla mention that Kaval was number one. Husky wants to know if Kaval is going to let his girlfriends do all of the talking. Kaval says that he lets his talking take place in the ring. Husky says that if Kaval brings that intensity to the ring, he will have fun in the ring. Kaval says that they are going to have a lot of fun in the ring.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Kaval with Layla and Michelle McCool versus Husky Harris with Dashing Cody Rhodes
Kaval with a kick as he avoids Husky. Husky throws Kaval into the corner and he punches Kaval. Husky with a hip toss but Kaval rolls through. Kaval with a kick and a heel kick for a near fall. Kaval with a kick to the chest and then to the leg. Husky with a head butt. Kaval with a kick but Husky hits a short arm clothesline. Husky with a waist lock to Kaval but Kaval with elbows and a kick followed by a European uppercut. Husky with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Kaval with a leg sweep followed by a kick to the back of the head. Kaval with an Irish whip but Husky with a clothesline out of the corner for a near fall. Harris with an Irish whip and he sends Kaval to the apron and then Michelle and Layla go to the floor. Harris sends Kaval into the ring post and then Harris hits an inverted suplex on Kaval. Harris with the Fat Boy Senton for the three count.
Winner: Husky Harris
After the match, Matt Striker comes out and he wants the pros to tabulate their votes so we can find out which rookie gets to take the walk of shame (until they form a group of their own after the end of Season Two?).
We go to commercial.
We are back and more people watched NXT than a lot of other networks’ shows.
We see the Raw Rebound featuring on the split among the CenArmy (or is it JeriChORPS)
Time to run through the card for SummerSlam.
We go to commercial and it is nail biting time for all of the rookies except Michael McGillicutty.
We are back and it is time for the moment that you have been waiting for. Who joins Titus O’Neil in NXT Limbo?
The rookies are at ringside.
Matt says that only one can win NXT and earn a title match on pay per view. Matt also tells us that the rookie at the bottom of the poll will be eliminated, that is unless Michael McGillicutty finishes in seventh.
The new poll is ready.
In first place is Michael McGillicutty. He is followed by Kaval in second place. Third place is Alex Riley.
Fourth place is Percy Watson. Fifth place goes to Lucky Cannon.
That means that Husky Harris or Eli Cottonwood will be eliminated.
The man in sixth place is Husky Harris so Eli Cottonwood is eliminated.
Matt asks Eli if he has anything to say before he takes the walk of shame and turns in his knives. Eli decides to attack Husky Harris and some of the other rookies join in the attack while Kaval and McGillicutty watch from a distance. Eli walks up the ramp and Morrison tries to calm him down and he pushes Morrison.
Matt asks Husky if there is anything that is not connecting with the WWE Universe. Husky says that they have seen the warpath he has made over the last few weeks. He says that it is his competition to win.
Matt asks Micahel what it feels like to be number one. Michael says that he came here to win NXT. He is on the right path. Michael says that he will not lose on NXT and he will become a World Champion.
Matt asks if he was concerned about Eli jumping him. Alex says that he is a better athlete than Eli and he knows that he is better than Michael and Kaval. He says that he will be number one.
Michael and Alex push each other and they brawl at ringside. Lucky tries to hold them off. Eli comes back despite being eliminated.
There is pandemonium as we go to credits.
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